Ilagan City

 Livable City celebrates corn and cityhood charter

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

Ilagan City, the "Corn Capital of the Philippines," celebrated the 13th anniversary of its cityhood with a lineup of activities geared towards its campaign to become a global 'Livable City' by 2030.

A basketball exhibition with celebrities playing against locals, a cheerdance competition with 17 school participants, a Parokya ni Edgar concert, and the search for its muse were among the highlights in its social calendar. The annual Mamanggi Festival, which affirms the heroic efforts of its farmers as food producers, did not push through this year as the recent elections made it difficult to prepare and finance the undertaking. The Ilaguenos are looking forward to its resumption next year.

"Aside from featuring corn as our livelihood and legacy, our 13th cityhood journey pays tribute to our vibrant culture in the young women gracing the stage tonight. More than a showcase of beauty, the Binibining Ilagan pageant is a platform of empowerment and confidence. Ilagueñas are strong pillars of change; using the runway for a greater purpose - creating ambassadors of hope in the process," intimated city mayor Hon. Josemarie "Jay" Diaz, during his opening speech on pageant night.

Mariella Mirasol Lourdes Tyrrell of Sta. Isabel Sur was crowned Binibining Ilagan 2025, besting 18 other hopefuls, and winning a lion share of the special awards that included the Best Festival Creative Costume, Best in Casual Wear, Bb. Cape Ilocandia, and Bb. Villa Mercedes (our lodgings in Ilagan). The future Florence Nightingale will represent the city in the forthcoming Queen Isabella province-wide pageant early next year, during the celebration of the Bambanti Frstival.

Nicole Barbero, a registered nurse from.Sta. Victoria, was proclaimed Binibining Turismo, Sining at Kultura, aside from winning the Best in Evening Gown and Skinovation Beauty honors earlier in the evening. While Heart Angel Lara, a nursing student from Alibagu, was named Binibining Agrikultura, aside from winning the Bb. CRP Tingkad award.

All the crowned queens were pursuing the Nursing profession.

Caryl Franchette Leaño of San Vicente (Bb. Kojic King) and Precious Diane Alvarez of Cadu were named runners-up in descending order. The other semifinalists were Sharah Maine Mendieta (Marana), Gemalyn Raquel (Sta. Victoria), Lea Bianca Cabalonga (Fugu), Christine Mae Navarro (Best in Swimsuit, Alinguigan), and Nicole Osias (Cabisera 10).

The other recipients of the special awards were Kenneth John Gaspar as Best Festival Costume Designer and Marjorie Tuppil Cabaccan who was voted as Miss Congeniality by her co-candidates.

Queen Isabella 2024 1st runner-up Joniline Ariola, who was crowned Binibining Ilagan 2024, bequeathed her crown to the new winner from Sta. Isabel Sur.

Besides Ilagan's continuing campaign as a global Livable City by 2030, it also promotes its tourist destinations like the Japanese Tunnel, the Abuan River, the giant Butaka park, the Ilagan sanctuary, and the Queen Isabella Park.